Tuesday, March 19, 2013

This week's guest for Our "When I'm not writing..." feature is Tricia Skinner, author of the new e-book, ANGEL BAIT, from Crimson Romance. It's the first book in her Angel Assassin series. She's currently on a blog tour to support her debut and I'm pleased she's stopping by Tynga's Reviews. Enjoy the post and make sure to stick around for the giveaway to win a copy of ANGEL BAIT!

Writers are told, “Write all the time.” Through illness, day jobs, raising children, and all the assorted you've-got-to-be-kidding-me moments that make up life. I’ve tried to write during the tiny gaps of space found between lunches, meetings, family activities, etc., but that’s not the best way for me to produce work. I need to take a “me” moment now and then. Not surprisingly, those bits of bliss energize me and excite me to get back to writing.

Casual GamesMy favorites reward for completing a few chapters is to grab my iPad and play one of several casual games. I love Castle Story because it satisfies my control-freak demon, giving me a specific amount of time to escape reality. You only have thirty energy points in one session. Once I've fed my farm animals, crafted some potions, distressed the land Baron, and chopped rocks, I'm relaxed and ready to tackle more of my manuscript.

A new favorite casual game is Bingo. Yes, the classic our grandparents enjoyed is available from several app makers for mobile devices. Again, the key to gaming as a writer is not playing anything that sucks away too much time (though I long to beat up Jedis again in SW:TOR). My Bingo game limits me to twenty tickets in a twenty-four hour period. If I sit and play all twenty that’s it for the day.

Netflix, A Geek’s Best Friend
I couldn’t tell you who won on Dancing With The Stars, or what shows are on Friday night. I no longer have time to watch television, but it’s important to keep abreast of pop culture happenings. That’s why I’ve turned to Netflix.

During the dreaded writer’s block, no amount of pleading will force my muse to give up the goods. Instead of staring at a blank screen, I go to Netflix, click one of the forty shows and movies I've been meaning to watch, and just chill out. Since I write urban fantasy/paranormal romance, I gravitate to similarly themed shows first. An idea may spark while I’m watching Doctor Who or Supernatural.

Be A Kid Again
My favorite non-writing activities involve my three-year-old son, Rowan. I can work through any manuscript issues by squishing Play-Doh through my fingers, kicking a soccer ball in the backyard, or tracing his hands on a chalkboard.

I’ve listened to Rowan “read” me stories. Yes, Dr. Seuss often helps The Avengers, but that’s fine. I have a master storyteller entertaining me, but he does much more. He reminds me why I do this writing thing in the first place.

You can also follow Tricia's blog tour. Click on the button to check out the rest of the stops.

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Here's the scoop on ANGEL BAIT:

Saved by the angel sent to kill them, four half-angel boys are trained and employed as Heaven’s assassins. Jarrid and his nephilim brothers are raised as members of The Eternal Order, and must enforce Heaven’s laws by hunting down those who defy the Directorate.

His only shot at freedom is Ascension, but his employers won’t permit the ancient ritual. Then Jarrid learns a Renegade angel is in Detroit. Such a high-level take­down is the answer to his prayers—all the leverage he needs to Ascend.

For freedom, Jarrid is willing to do anything to lure his elusive enemy out of hiding.

Even use an innocent woman as bait.

News reporter Ionie Gifford has no clue an angel outlaw wants her dead. She agrees to help Jarrid, the enigmatic nephilim with penetrating silver eyes and a worship-worthy body, but only because he accepts her terms. He’s her all-access pass into the city’s supernatural underworld where she hopes to locate her mother’s killer.

Blind­sided by Ionie's beauty and tenacity, Jarrid soon finds the eternity-old glacier around his heart thawing. With duty and desire at war within him, he’s forced to make a choice—either save Ionie from the trap he snared and stay chained to Heaven, or allow her to become collateral damage.

Do you guys have suggestions for who you’d like to see featured on the blog? If so, you can make your suggestions on this page. No guarantees that your favorite authors will be able to participate but we’ll try!

Authors, would you like to visit and share with us? Please email me at jennblogs (at) gmail (dot) com and we’ll set it up!

Born and raised in the Toronto area, Jenn moved to St. John's, Newfoundland, eight years ago for school. She's still in school (thankfully on another degree!), now trapped in her dissertation. When she's not dissertating, which happens more often than it should, Jenn spends her time reading, watching movies, playing volleyball, travelling, and enjoying the local music scene. Her latest addictions: yoga and Almond Crunch cereal.

I geek out to net flix also. I hate missing out on the water cooler conversations so when a particular show keeps coming up I'll relent and watch a season to see what the fuss is all about. I haven't watched Dr. Who yet, but I plan to add it to my list.